Sordino for reed musical instruments



Oct. 22, 1929. J. GHISLERI SORDINO FOR REED MUSIhAL INSTRUMENTS Filed June 25,1927

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FLG 8 FLG 7 v IWIEA/TOR 326) 27 Z2? Patented Oct. 22, 1929 UNITED STATES JOSEPH GHISLERI, F vmcnnnns'rnnncn I I SORDINQ FOR REED MUSIIICAIQ Insane-mama Application filed June 23, 1927, Serial n6. mama-.1 inFrance April 25, 1927.

The present invention relates to a movable and adjustable sordino for Saxophones and clarinettes, and in general for all reed musical instruments.

The sordino is adapted to regulate the inufiiing of the sounds in reed musical instruments by means of a device which may be mounted on the tube for the admission of air to the instrument and on the upper part of the tube.

The sordino essentially comprises a cylindrical body which as regards its transversal cross section consists of suitable blades separated by air spaces in alternate disposition,

and is pierced at its centre with a circular aperture through which is inserted the body or shank of a bolt or shaft whose head has the same transversal cross-section as the cylindrical body and which can be held against 2 the said body by means of a nut or knob. Due to the adjustment of the position of the said bolt head, the blades and spaces of the cylinder and the head can be placed in the proper relative position, and the device can thus be mounted at the air inlet of the instrument effect.

The appended drawings show by way of example an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. l is an elevational view of the sordino.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the bolt,

with the nut or knob removed.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bolt head with sections of elastic packing material secured thereto.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the cylinder, Fig. 6 the corresponding plan view. Fig. 7 shows the sordino mounted on a clarinette and Fig. 8 shows it mounted upon a saxophone. Having more particular reference to the drawings wherein like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout, the numeral 1 indicates a substantially cylindrical body made of metal or other suitable materials. As regards its transversal cross section, it consists of the blades 8 and of spaces which are in alternate disposition to and in suitable number. It is pierced at its centre with a circular aperture 2 through which is inserted the body or shank 4 of the bolt which is shown in Fig. 3 and-whose head 3, which has the same transversal cross sec tion as 'the'body '1, consists of the blades 8 and alternating, spaces. 'The body 4 of the bolt carries a thread 5 by which the usual nut, milled head, wing nut or the like 6 may hold the body 1 against the head 3 of the bolt. I The blades 8 of the bolt head3 are preferably shorter than the blades 8 of the cylindrical body 1, and have glued or otherwise secured to their outer surface 7, sections of resilient material 7 such as cork, india rubher, or the like, adapted through. frictional engagement to properly hold the device in position" on the musical'instrument.

The operation-isas follows 2 Q Before the nut 6 -is screwed down, I suitably dispose the spaces-and the blades 8 of the'head of the bolt and the corresponding parts of the cylinderin a relative position such that the device which is situated at the air' inlet of i the instrument can produce a greater or less muflhngeffect. in order to produce a greater or less mufihng Figs. 7 and S'show by way of 'examplethe arrangeinent'of the serdino device respectively upon a clarinette and a saxophone.

In Fig; '7, which represents the device mounted upon a ,clarinette, the'sordin'o lis secured in the'lower portion of the mouthpiece llby means of the sections of there- .Slllllt material 7 on the bolt head 3, and the device is adjusted from the bottom by the nut 6 and before placing the mouthpiece 11 upon the air inlet tube 10 of the instrument.

In Fig. 8, which shows my improved device used'in connection with a saxophone, the

sordino "1 is secured tothe air inlettube 15 of the instrument by means of the sections of resilient material 7'sec'ured to the bolt head 3,and the device is adjusted from the top by thenut 6. Themouthpiece 16 is then placed upon the tube15. g l j." j

'Manifestly,the construction shown and de scribed is cap able of many modifications without changing the nature of the invention.

I may for instance modify the details of construction and assembling according to circumstances and to the utilization of the apparatus.

The several arts of the apparatus may be replaced by 0t ers having the same function and aflording like results.

It is obvious that I may utilize all suitable substances or ,products which are suitable for the manufacture of such sordinoes.

I claim:

1. A sordino of the character described comprising a substantiallly cylindrical body presenting in transversal cross-section aplurality of spaced blades and "means cooperatively associated with said bodyand being adjustable with respect to the body to open or close the spaces between the blades of said body dependent upon the inufliing effect to be produced,

2. A sordinoc f the character described comprising a substantially cylindrical body presenting in transversal cross-section a plurality of spaced blades and a bolt head c0- operatively associated with said body and having the same formation as the body, said bolt head being adjustable with respect to said body :for opening or closing the spaces between the blades of the latter dependent upon the muflling effect to be produced.

3. A sordino of the character described comprising a substantially cylindrical body presenting in transve'rsal cross-section a plurality of spaced blades and having a bore throughout its longitudinal central portion, a

a bolt freely received and retained within said bore in the body and a head rigid with sa-idbolt and being adjustable with respect to saidbody for'opening or "closing the spaces between theblades 0f the latter.

4. A 'sordino of the character described comprising a substantially cylindrical body presenting in transversal cross-section a plurality of spaced blades and having a bore throughout its longitudinal central portion,

a bolt freely received within said bore and extending beyond the body, a head rigid with one end of the boltsaid head having the same formation as the body and a knob secured to the free end of the bolt adapted to move-said 1836. into adjustment with respect to the 5. A sordino for reed musical instruments comprising abody removably received within the air inlet portion of the instrument said body presenting in transversal cross-section a plurality of spaced blades, a head carried by and adjustable with respect to said body for opening or closing the spaces between blades of the latter and resilient means secured to the head whereby the fsor dino isheld in position in said air inlet portion of the instrument.

In testimony whereof .he has a-flixed his signature.

JOSE-PH GHISLERI.- 

